Artist's Description

When several polar bears (Ursus maritimus) swam out to the tiny boat I occupied the bears looked very interested in the tempting “morsels” on the boat. Trying to imagine what was on the bears’ minds while they sized me up, a paraphrase of an old candy ad came to mind, Soft On The Outside, Crunchy On The Inside!

When in the company of black or brown bears, caution is necessary yet I have never known black or brown bears to view me as a food source. On the other end of the spectrum when near polar bears, there is no doubt that polar bears only look upon humans as a meal!

Currently polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable. Threats to their existence include hunting and loss of habitat.

Kaktovik, Alaska on the shore of the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean, USA

Thomas, a month after this was taken temps have dipped in the Arctic to well below zero. There is only c. 2.5 hours of light now compared to the 8 hours of daylight one month ago when this bear sized me up. BRRRRRRR, it is chilly out there! Thank you for stopping by! G

Sweet Dot, the boat was very small….and quite rickety with a foot of bilge water sloshing around the bottom beneath my feet. There were three bears actively engaged in playing in the water close to the boat. When play broke off, the bears suddenly became very interested in the big “rubber ducky” in their midst. Fortunately, making noise deterred the bears. They can do a great deal of damage; a small plane sitting at the village’s air runway bears witness to how young juvenile delinquent polar bears can wreck property. The wings are bent and torn, rendering the plane useless. There is no way I’d want to tangle with one of these fellas…:-)) Happy Thanksgiving to you! G

I remember the moment well Gina although I suspect this little guy had his eye on certain other “morsels” on your boat!!!! This is a fabulous shot though and such a gorgeous reflection. Another wonderful moment well and truly “captured”!

Well, if you hadn’t smeared seal oil all over yourself, these bears would not have been so interested. All kidding aside, I hear that polar bears particularly love chomping on 500mm lenses and zodiacs so maybe that’s why the bear suddenly became so intrigued at the smorgasbord arranged in front of it. This morning shoot remains one of my most favored memories of that journey. I am still quite in awe of the whole experience. G